At the Works: A Study of a Manufacturing Town.

BELL, Lady Florence.

Published by London: Edward Arnold, 1907

About this Item

First edition, first impression, presentation copy, inscribed by the author to Elizabeth Robins on the front free endpaper: "To E.R., my critic-in-ordinary. In affection and gratitude, F.B. 1907". Dedicated to the social reformer Charles Booth, At the Works compassionately reflects on evidence gathered by Lady Bell and her stepdaughter Gertrude Bell on the welfare of working-class people in Middlesborough. Bell and Robins were both actresses and playwrights. Having met in the early 1890s, they co-wrote the play Alan's Wife in 1893, which featured a working-class heroine and caused controversy for its sympathetic portrayal of infanticide. Although sometimes differing in outlook - Bell disapproved of Robins's militant suffragism - the two women shared a commitment to writing and remained close for 30 years. They corresponded weekly when apart and critiqued each other's literary efforts. Despite her comparative moderation, Bell worked to improve living and working conditions for the people of Middlesborough. One of her key suggestions in At The Works is that, for people to avoid spending money on alcohol and gambling, "there should be scattered about the town various places of resort under cover, open during the winter at an almost nominal charge, places well warmed and lighted, open to anyone and everyone. it would, I believe, make an incalculable difference to the welfare of the community" (pp. 132-3). Later the same year, this scheme was successfully implemented, as described in a newspaper clipping loosely inserted at the back (24 Jan. 1908). Octavo. 9 plates including frontispiece with tissue guard, 16 pp. of publisher's advertisements at rear dated February 1907. Original blue cloth, lettering and leaf decorations in gilt to spine and front cover, covers blind-ruled, edges untrimmed, partly unopened. Spine leaning, spine ends and board corners bumped and rubbed, gilt bright, damp stain on rear cover resulting in some discolouration, ads a little foxed: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 175682

Bibliographic Details

• Title: At the Works: A Study of a Manufacturing Town.
• Publisher: London: Edward Arnold, 1907
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)